Experts Suggest Game-Changing Anti-Smoking Pill Could Help Millions of Vapers in the UK Quit the Habit

The fight to quit vaping may soon get a big boost from a “game-changing” anti-smoking pill, which could be the best option for many trying to quit, according to new research.

As vaping continues to rise in popularity, a growing number of people are turning to the habit, with around one in ten adults in the UK now reported to be addicted.

However, what’s concerning is that many of these vapers have never smoked before.

Despite the general consensus that e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes, experts have discovered that an increasing number of people are using them without ever having been regular smokers.

Varenicline Shows Promise for Vaping Cessation

A study led by experts from both the US and the UK has highlighted two tools commonly recommended for quitting smoking that could be just as effective for quitting vaping.

Researchers reviewed nine trials involving over 5,000 participants and found that the medication varenicline, known as Champix, combined with text message-based support, was among the most effective approaches for quitting.

While the study’s findings are exciting, the experts have emphasized that further research is still needed before these methods are rolled out more widely.

Varenicline, a pill previously marketed by Pfizer in 2006, was pulled from the market in 2021 after it was found to contain elevated levels of a potentially cancer-causing compound.

However, Teva UK will soon reintroduce it, providing new hope for those trying to quit vaping and smoking alike.

Growing Need for Research on Quitting Vaping

Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, a senior health policy expert at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, acknowledged that research in this area is still in its early stages but growing quickly as more people seek help to quit vaping.

He pointed out that many people using e-cigarettes as a means to quit smoking are also interested in transitioning away from vaping safely without returning to smoking.

Dr. Ailsa Butler, from the University of Oxford, stressed that the findings are an important first step but more research is essential.

She highlighted the importance of finding solutions for younger people, especially those in the 13 to 24 age range.

The Risks of Vaping

E-cigarettes allow users to inhale nicotine in the form of vapor, which is created by heating a liquid that usually contains chemicals such as propylene glycol, glycerine, flavorings, and more.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, vapes don’t contain tobacco or produce tar and carbon—two harmful components found in cigarettes.

However, nicotine itself triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, creating a feeling of pleasure, but it also raises heart rate, increases blood pressure, and constricts blood vessels.

These effects are caused by the release of the hormone adrenaline.

Although the NHS maintains that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, the long-term risks of e-cigarettes remain largely unknown.

Experts are concerned that the high nicotine content could contribute to cardiovascular issues, and doctors worry that people who started vaping at a young age could face significant health problems, including lung disease, dental issues, and possibly even cancer in the future.

Limited Evidence but Promising Results

The research found that varenicline could be potentially effective for adults looking to quit vaping.

However, since only a small number of studies have specifically addressed its impact on vaping, more investigation is needed before it can be widely recommended.

Additionally, text message-based interventions proved to be particularly effective for younger people, suggesting that this method of support could play a vital role in helping the younger generation quit.

While these findings are encouraging, Professor Hartmann-Boyce highlighted that more research is necessary to confirm the effectiveness of these tools for quitting vaping specifically.

“We don’t yet know for sure that they help people quit vaping, which is why further trials are so important,” he explained.

Growing Concerns Over Vaping’s Health Risks

Recent studies have raised serious concerns about the health risks of vaping.

Last April, a study suggested that e-cigarettes may increase the risk of heart failure.

Another study found that vaping could trigger changes in cells that might eventually lead to cancer.

In fact, a growing number of adverse side effects related to vaping have been reported to UK regulators, with over 1,000 incidents, including five fatalities.

These reports highlight a wide range of issues, from headaches to strokes, with more people—and even healthcare professionals—submitting concerns about the effects of e-cigarettes.

In response to the growing evidence of vaping’s potential dangers, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidance in July emphasizing the complexity of the issue.

The organization stated that, due to a lack of conclusive evidence on both the risks and benefits, e-cigarettes cannot be recommended as a means of quitting smoking.

This statement further underscores the need for more research to better understand how to help people stop smoking and vaping safely.

As vaping continues to become more widespread, the need for effective quitting tools and further research into the long-term risks remains crucial.

While there is hope that medications like varenicline, along with new methods of support, may offer a solution, experts warn that the road to understanding and effectively combating the vaping epidemic is still a long one.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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